NY: Walker & Company, 2006. Hard Cover w/ DJ. First Edition, first printing (stated with full number line). SIGNED by both the author Phillip Hoose and NY Yankee Pitcher Don Larsen on the title page with COA. The interior is crisp and clean, with no marks, other signatures or signs of previous use. Bindings are fresh showing no wear. DJ is clean and bright, not price-clipped ($19.95). Appears unread, gift quality. Book and DJ condition: new, protected by a mylar jacket. In 1956 when Don Larsen of the New York Yankees became the first pitcher to throw a perfect game in World Series history. In Game Five against the Brooklyn Dodgers, it took Larsen only 97 pitches to completely retire 27 straight batters. This is his story. Bookseller Inventory # 5697

In the winter of 1956, Phillip Hoose was a gawky, uncoordinated 9-year-old boy just moved to a new town―Speedway, Indiana―and trying to fit into a new school and circle of friends. Baseball was his passion, even though he was terrible at it and constantly shamed by his lack of ability. But he had one thing going for him that his classmates could never have―his second cousin was a pitcher for the New York Yankees. Don Larsen wasn't a star, but he was in the Yankees' rotation. And on October 8, 1956, he pitched perhaps the greatest game that has ever been pitched: a perfect game (27 batters up, 27 out) against the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series. It forever changed Phil's life. Perfect, Once Removed, recalls with pitch-perfect clarity the angst and jubilation of Phil Hoose's 9th year. To be published on the 50th anniversary of The Perfect Game, it will be one of the best baseball books of 2006.

About the Author&colon;

Phillip Hoose is the acclaimed author of Hoosiers, the story of basketball life in Indiana, as well as two highly-praised books for young adults: We Were There, Too and The Race to Save the Lord God Bird. He lives in Portland, Maine, and at the age of 59 still plays shortstop in his local softball league.